1.
Explain the Concept of Problem-Solving
● Definition: Problem-solving is the process of identifying an issue and finding solutions to
resolve it effectively.
● Purpose: Helps address personal, commercial, scientific, and social challenges.
● Characteristics of Effective Problem-Solving:
○ Logical reasoning
○ Critical thinking
○ Creativity and innovation
○ Decision-making skills
2. Describe the Stages of the Problem-Solving Process
● Define the Problem: Clearly identify the issue to be resolved.
● Analyze the Problem: Examine causes, impacts, and related factors.
● Identify and Evaluate Possible Solutions:
○ Generate multiple solutions.
○ Assess feasibility and effectiveness of each option.
● Select and Justify the Optimal Solution:
○ Choose the best solution based on criteria like efficiency, cost, and practicality.
● Implement the Solution:
○ Develop an action plan.
○ Apply the solution in real-world settings.
● Evaluate and Review:
○ Assess the results.
○ Make necessary improvements.
3. Identify the Information Necessary for Solving Real-Life Problems
● Types of Problems:
○ Personal – Decision-making in everyday life.
○ Commercial – Business challenges like resource allocation.
○ Scientific – Research-based problem-solving.
○ Social – Addressing societal and community issues.
● Categorization of Information:
○ Essential – Required for understanding and solving the problem.
○ Desirable – Helpful but not mandatory.
○ Extraneous – Unnecessary details that don’t contribute to the solution.
○ Cosmetic – Superficial information with little impact.
4. Explain the Criteria for Selecting Information to Solve Real-Life
Problems
● Factors to Consider:
○ Bias – Ensure objectivity in selecting information.
○ Accuracy – Verify factual correctness.
○ Cultural Context – Consider relevance to the target audience or setting.
○ Completeness – Ensure the information covers all necessary aspects.
○ Currency – Check if data is up-to-date.
○ Refereed vs. Unrefereed Sources:
■ Refereed – Verified and peer-reviewed sources.
■ Unrefereed – Non-reviewed, potentially less reliable sources.
○ Characteristics of Internet-Based Information:
■ Assess credibility of online sources.
■ Use reliable websites and academic databases.
5. Distinguish Among Different Types of Software Development Models
● Waterfall Approach:
○ Sequential development process with distinct phases (requirements, design,
coding, testing, deployment).
○ Advantages: Clear structure, easy management.
○ Disadvantages: Difficult to accommodate changes once development starts.
● Evolutionary Development (Prototyping):
○ Continuous refinement of a prototype before final implementation.
○ Advantages: User involvement, early feedback.
○ Disadvantages: Can lead to excessive revisions.
● Agile Software Development:
○ Iterative approach focusing on flexibility and customer collaboration.
○ Advantages: Quick adaptation to changes, better customer satisfaction.
○ Disadvantages: Requires high commitment and coordination.
● Iterative/Incremental Approach:
○ Software developed in repeated cycles, improving in each iteration.
○ Advantages: Allows gradual enhancements, reduces risks.
○ Disadvantages: May require constant user feedback and adjustments.
6. Explain the Various Stages of the System Development Life Cycle
(SDLC)
The SDLC is a structured process for developing and maintaining software systems. It consists
of the following stages:
1. Feasibility Study:
○ Assesses the viability of the project based on cost, technical requirements, and
market needs.
○ Deliverable: System Proposal outlining the potential benefits and risks.
2. Analysis:
○ Identifies the user requirements and system specifications.
○ Examines existing systems to determine needed improvements.
○ Deliverable: Project Plan, including objectives and scope.
3. Design:
○ Converts requirements into a blueprint for the system.
○ Includes diagrams such as Data Flow Diagrams (DFD) and Entity Relationship
(ER) Diagrams.
○ Deliverable: Various system models and UI prototypes.
4. Development (Coding):
○ Implementation of the system using programming languages.
○ Deliverable: Software components and test plans for validation.
5. Implementation:
○ Deployment of the developed system into the real-world environment.
○ Deliverable: Conversion plans to transition from old to new systems.
6. Review (Maintenance & Evaluation):
○ Ensures system functionality and addresses any errors or enhancements.
○ Deliverable: Documentation, including user manuals and technical manuals.
7. Discuss the Tools Used in Different Stages of the SDLC
● Requirements Gathering Tools: This stage involves collecting user needs and system
requirements.
○ Questionnaires, interviews, observation, printed materials.
● Modeling Tools: At this stage, the system is represented using diagrams and structured
models to visualize data flow, relationships, and processes.
○ Entity Relationship (ER) Diagrams – Shows data relationships.
○ Data Flow Diagrams (DFD) – Illustrates system processes and data flow.
○ Process Models & Object Models – Represents system behavior.
● Project Management Tools:
○ GANTT Charts – Helps in scheduling project tasks.
○ Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) Tools – Automates software
design processes.
● Software Development Tools:
○ Prototypes – Early versions of software for testing.
○ Flowcharts & Pseudocode – Used for planning algorithms.
○ Programming Languages – Used in software implementation.
8. Describe Data Flow Diagrams (DFD)
● Definition:
○ DFDs are graphical representations showing how data moves within a system.
● Key Symbols in DFDs:
○ Entity – Represents external sources interacting with the system.
○ Process – Shows operations that modify data.
○ Data Store – Represents where data is stored.
○ Data Flow – Illustrates the movement of data between components.
● Levels of DFDs:
○ Context-Level DFD – Provides a high-level overview of the system.
○ Level 1 DFD – Expands processes into more detailed components.
9. Explain the Concept of a Well-Designed Algorithm
● Definition:
○ An algorithm is a step-by-step plan for solving a problem efficiently.
● Role in Problem-Solving:
○ Helps structure solutions logically.
○ Reduces complexity and increases efficiency.
● Characteristics of a Well-Designed Algorithm:
○ Solves a problem in finite steps.
○ Is clear and unambiguous.
○ Ensures a smooth flow of control between processes.
10. Identify Ways of Representing Algorithms
● Natural Language:
○ Describes steps using simple instructions.
● Flowcharts:
○ Visual diagrams representing the logical flow of an algorithm.
● Pseudocode:
○ Simplified programming-style representation of an algorithm.
Here’s a basic example of an algorithm representation: Flowchart Example:
Start → Input Data → Process Data → Output Result → End
Pseudocode Example:
BEGIN
INPUT temperature
IF temperature > 30 THEN
PRINT "It's a hot day!"
ELSE
PRINT "Temperature is moderate."
END
11. Develop Algorithms to Represent Problem Solutions
● Definition of Algorithm:
1. A step-by-step process designed to solve a problem efficiently.
2. Represented using input, output, and processing statements.
● Basic Elements of Algorithm Representation:
1. Simple Input Statements: Accept user data.
2. Processing Statements: Perform operations/calculations.
3. Output Statements: Display results.
● Control Structures in Algorithms:
1. Sequence – Executes instructions in order (step-by-step).
START
INPUT number
PRINT "You entered:", number
END
2. Selection – Uses conditional statements (if-else).
START
INPUT temperature
IF temperature > 30 THEN
PRINT "It's a hot day!"
ELSE
PRINT "Temperature is moderate."
END
3. Repetition (Loops) – Executes repeated instructions.
START
WHILE counter < 5 DO
PRINT "Iteration:", counter
INCREMENT counter
END
12. Outline the Interrelationships Between Algorithms and Programming
● Algorithms as a Precursor to Program Development:
○ Algorithms define the logic and steps before converting them into code.
○ Helps ensure efficiency and clarity before implementation.
● Stages in Computer Program Development:
○ Problem Analysis – Understanding what the program should do.
○ Algorithm Design – Creating structured logic for solving the problem.
○ Coding – Implementing the algorithm using a programming language.
○ Testing & Debugging – Validating program functionality and fixing errors.
○ Deployment – Installing the final version for use.
○ Maintenance – Updating and improving the program as needed.
● Programming Paradigms:
○ Procedural Programming (e.g., C, Pascal) – Based on sequences and
procedures.
○ Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) (e.g., Java, Python) – Uses objects and
encapsulation.
○ Functional Programming (e.g., Haskell, Lisp) – Treats functions as first-class
entities.
○ Event-Driven Programming (e.g., JavaScript) – Based on user
interactions/events.
● Examples of Programming Languages:
○ Low-Level: Assembly, Machine Code.
○ High-Level: Python, Java, C++, JavaScript.
○ Scripting: Python, Bash, Perl.
○ Markup & Query Languages: HTML, SQL.
